A View from the Editorial Board: Mid-South's racial divide must be bridged

Have you read or seen "The Help"? The best-selling book by Kathryn Stockett and its film adaptation describe the fictional story of three women (two black and one white) who overcome dangerous, racially motivated obstacles to tell the stories of black maids working for white families in Mississippi during the early 1960s. The movie version of "The Help" debuted in theaters the weekend of Aug. 12 at No. 2 on the box office charts, and for the past two weeks has been the highest-grossing movie in the country. Last week the Malco Paradiso in Memphis continued to hold the top spot in ticket sales for "The Help" among theaters nationwide.

While I was reading the book recently, I questioned my mother about her memories of that era and what life was like in our hometown of Fort Smith, Ark. She described the "separate but equal" water fountains for black residents, the segregated schools and movie seating, and the separate public restrooms.

While I know such things occurred in my lifetime, they still amaze and dishearten me. I work with people of different races and from different countries and backgrounds every day, and cannot imagine having to separate myself from them on the basis of race.

After reading the book, I went to see the movie with a friend. We were struck by the composition of the audience, mainly women -- black and white -- with their mothers, grandmothers, children and friends. As we took our seats, I realized that it was the most racially mixed theater audience I'd ever seen.

The movie's unsparing portrayal of black and white relationships in Jackson, Miss., during the civil rights era could have divided the women in the theater audience along racial lines. However, as the movie progressed a magical thing happened. Through our common experience, this racially mixed audience of young and older women seemed to come together as a group, as we groaned at the racism that was portrayed, and cheered at the scenes that bound women together regardless of race. I felt a great kinship among that audience. Race didn't seem to matter. It seemed as though we all recognized the power of women's relationships, regardless of color. We laughed and cried about the same things, seemingly undivided by race or culture.

My experience with "The Help" has prompted me to consider why Memphis and Shelby County can't move past our racial division. Perhaps people simply like being around others who are similar to themselves. Perhaps the division has been fostered and cultivated by politicians to maintain their political power base. Perhaps people, whether consciously or unconsciously, really do harbor racial stereotypes and are uncomfortable around people of different races and socioeconomic backgrounds.

As I considered these possibilities, I thought about the issue of schools consolidation. It is apparent that racism and division are still very much alive in this county, no matter how hard people try to justify their opposition to consolidation by using other excuses. Before U.S. Dist. Judge Samuel "Hardy" Mays mandated and mediated the discussions that led to an agreement on how to achieve consolidation of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools, thinly veiled racism had prevailed. Now, suburban cities are hiring consultants to look at alternatives, such as municipal schools, charter schools or special school districts, so they won't have to participate in the combined school district.

The panic being exhibited in the suburbs is frightening and in some respects ill-informed: Does anyone really believe that once the two school districts are combined, "thugs" from Memphis City Schools will be bused to schools in the suburbs?

We the people of Memphis and Shelby County desperately need to recognize our fears and acknowledge our thoughts of racism, whether we are white or black. I hope that we can move forward, learning from our history and not repeating it. We need to experience as a community what I felt that movie audience had -- a common bond that helps us to see the wrong and helps to unite us beyond race or culture. We need to respect one another and learn from one another.

Moving further out of the newly consolidated school system isn't the answer. People have already moved out of Memphis in order to "protect the education of their children." How far does one have to move to avoid the inevitable clash of race and socioeconomic backgrounds? While it is uncomfortable to consider, we can't run forever. Education of the adults in our community and frank discussion of these issues are the keys to making this region of the country strong and united.

Amy Doville directs the research and monitoring office of a Memphis hospital. She is a citizen member of The Commercial Appeal's editorial board.

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YOU'RE INVITED TO DISCUSS 'THE HELP'

"The Help" continues to be the biggest box-office draw in theaters in Greater Memphis. The themes explored in the movie, set in civil rights-era Mississippi, still resonate in both white and African-American households.

Rev. Frank A. Thomas, senior pastor at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and a citizen member of The Commercial Appeal's editorial board, will moderate a public forum on Tuesday, Sept. 6, to discuss the film and reflect on how times have, or haven't, changed.

The 90-minute forum, which will feature a panel discussion of the movie's themes and an opportunity for comments from the audience, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the church, located at 70 N. Bellevue in Midtown Memphis. The public is invited to attend.